Abstract
BACKGROUND: As inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might be associated with environmental factors such as seasonal patterns and low vitamin D levels we aimed to assess their association with IBD onset and flares in a large cohort of children. MetHOds: the records of 623 pediatric onset iBd patients were reviewed retrospectively including age at onset, gender, severity indices, month of first symptom, and vitamin D levels at diagnosis. For a subgroup of patients, data included date of first flare and vitamin D levels during flare and remission. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 14 years (IQR 11.66-15.58). Disease onset did not vary significantly between either month (P=0.367) or seasons (P=0.460). Vitamin D deficiency at the time of diagnosis was prevalent in 21% of patients with no significant association with month, season or disease’s type. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more prevalent in patients with malnutrition (P<0.001) and was associated with hypoalbuminemia (P=0.02) but did not correlate with low bone mineral density. Analysis of 169 first flares showed that flares were more common in June and less common in April (P=0.016). Mean vitamin D level was significantly lower during flares compared with remission (55.25±19.28 vs. 64.16±26.6, respectively, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: IBD onset in school aged children is not associated with seasonal patterns whereas flares may follow a specific monthly pattern. Disease flares are associated with low vitamin D blood levels. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with malnutrition and hypoalbuminemia.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 42-49 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Minerva Pediatrics |
Volume | 73 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2021 |
Keywords
- Crohn disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Vitamin D